Recovery Update - 1 Year Post Prolapse Repair and Vaginal Hysterectomy
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2022
- In this video, I describe the struggles, pain, and issues I am facing at one year post pelvic organ prolapse repair surgery. I talk about testing I have had done to address lingering pain and hormonal issues and discuss future treatment plans (pelvic floor therapy and potential hormone replacement therapy).
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AMAZON LINK TO MY FAVORITE LEGGINGS: I recommend the “plus size” for anyone larger than a size 4. They’re much more stretchy and comfortable.
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PERI BOTTLE:
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PITCHER FOR DRAINING SUPRAPUBIC CATHETER:
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LINK TO THE TRAY TABLE I USED:
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WATER BOTTLE/CUP/TUMBLER WITH STRAW:
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LINK TO MY FAVORITE COTTON ROBE (with the perfect quick-drying tie for showers):
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LINK TO MY FAVORITE FEMININE PADS (work great for urine or blood):
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LINK TO TUCKS PADS:
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LINK TO STOOL SOFTENER:
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LINK TO SHOWER HEAD I BOUGHT:
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LOW CARB/HIGH FIBER RECOVERY SNACKS:
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a.co/d/07AxT1C (TURKEY STICKS)
a.co/d/gg4djj8 (CHOCOLATE FIBER THINS)
a.co/d/bJfLLAW (CHICKPEA SNACKS)
a.co/d/63umcll (POP CHIPS)
a.co/d/iTKeXEk (SMOOTHIE POUCHES)
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Thank you so much for posting this. I am a 75 year old woman and have been diagnosed with uterine and bladder prolapses. Your story sounds so much like others that I’ve heard or read about. For this reason, I’m extremely reluctant to go through major surgery as suggested by two gyns and a urogynecologist. I wear support garments sold to women with this condition (who knew?), I avoid heavy lifting, and I pray that the condition doesn’t worsen. It doesn’t really seem that the medical profession has developed procedures to correct these conditions without disfiguring or creating worse symptoms even though so many women suffer from them.
Maria, you CAN get relief, you just have to choose a good surgeon!! My 15 month update was much more positive because I found pelvic floor PT. At 18 mos post surgery, I’m pretty much completely recovered with no pain and no issues. The recovery wasn’t fun, but at my age, that’s expected. Younger women have more pain because ALL of our nerve endings still fully function. The RIGHT surgeon will fix you up right, and you won’t have a need for all of the things you do to prevent worsening of your symptoms. I encourage you to pursue surgery, but ask lots of questions. Check out my “how to choose a surgeon” video. It gives lots of tips, and suggests avoiding a doctor that wants to use mesh (or a lot of it for sure). You DON’T need to suffer!!
I am 79 years old. I have found your posts on Utube very helpful. I am almost two weeks after having vaginal hysterectomy plus bladder repair. I was delighted to have the protruding organ removed, had high hopes of improved bladder function but sadly that has not happened ---so far. I am also suffering from extreme post operative tiredness. Could lie down all day. Hopefully both will
Improve. 15:13
Try to be patient with the bladder function issues. My only issue prior to surgery was stressing, continence, but after surgery, I had urinary urgency, and would find myself dribbling here in when I heard water running, or was moist/warm down there. I was very frustrated, thinking that I had made my issues. Worse not better. That has subsided with time, and I really don’t have any urinary issues at 18 months post surgery. I hope that all of that goes away for you, and you get a new lease on life!
I'm 3 days post surgery, thankful that so many women had shared their journeys so I could be fully prepared.
Physical stress from the operation and from having to mentally deal with your new body could be responsible for these weird skin and hair loss issues. My periods got messed up because of it and that set off a chain reaction. Dry skin, hair loss, my one eyebrow fell completely out but not the other one. Blood tests showed super fertile to post menopausal to perimenopausal to not menopausal at all (basically who knows). Hormone changes are so subtle chemically like you said. My two cents: it’s ok to look for answers to that if you want, but I’d concentrate on learning to be gentle with yourself and de-stress. your body will eventually find its new normal. As for the pain, that’s a different story-fight to get that taken care of. Thank you for your videos. I don’t feel so alone listening to you and reading all the comments from so many others ❤
You are right on with your feelings and comments. I feel that many times when we have surgery maybe the surgeon who did the surgery wasn’t quite qualified or experienced and tends to not want to hear the negative outcome. The patient has to deal with the result, and the doctor just wants to move on to another surgery candidate. I had a complete hysterectomy when I was 54 years old. The doctor didn’t advise me that there is a good chance that a pelvic floor prolapse would occur within 10 years. It in fact did happen, and the urogynecologists I consulted considered prolapse surgery to be not very reliable. There are problems with using mesh, and within three years many patients experience repeated prolapse, and or incontinence which is not very fixable. Childbearing can take a toll on women’s bodies that leaves us somewhat broken. I had five children and love them all dearly, but my body has not been a comfortable place to be since they were born. I no longer trust surgeons to correct the problems and never want to have another surgery.
Thank you for this open, honest and informative video. I am 6 months post op vaginal hysterectomy. I have never had kids and haven’t had issues with prolapse, but I have been dealing with the weird (but tests say normal) hormone issues and I have a diagnosed severe tight pelvic floor. Everything just feels off and strange and I’m going back in this week to have my cuff looked at, etc. Thank you again. You’re sharing makes this feel a little less lonely. Wishing you well!❤️
Carrie,
Thank you so much for commenting. I am very happy to hear that you found this video helpful, as that's the whole point! I assumed my issues were related to the reconstruction aspect of my surgery, but perhaps I'm underestimating what could have been caused by the hysterectomy itself. The vaginal cuff is where my pain is too, and is where they checked for the 'dropped ovary' potentially being re-attached. Perhaps asking about a dropped ovary would help. I had never heard of it, and am happy were were able to rule that out at least. I wish you the best in getting answers! Email me at personalprolapsestory@gmail.com if you want to talk more!
Thank you! I am 8 wks out post surgery. I am experiencing some of the same issues.
I am only about 4 weeks post up and having some of the same issues you are talking about. Thank you for sharing cause it's frustrating and you do feel alone
Hi! At four weeks, I encourage you to give it some more time. I was still having lots of weird issues at that point (check out my 6 week recovery video). I need to post an update to my one year update. Haha. Since starting pelvic floor therapy, I’ve had SO much relief. It’s been great! I’ve also had relief from just relaxing and not focusing so much on keeping that area tight. Hang in there. It’s too soon to tell how you’ll feel long term, at just four weeks out.
@@personalprolapsestory Thank you that gives me hope cause I was feeling so discouraged
Thank you so much for making these videos. I have my surgery scheduled for November and I am finding your videos very informative. I have to say, hearing your experience is scaring me a bit. I too will be having a vaginal hysterectomy and prolapse repair with a ureteral sling. Please keep your channel updated on your progress with finding out if your ovaries are still producing properly. My surgeon told me that I would still have a menstrual cycle, I just won't bleed. I asked him if I would still be able to "get wet" and he said yes. Sex is a very important part of my life and I want to make sure this surgery will not change that. Please keep us updated!
Hello Heavenly. Thank you for reaching out. I wanted to let you know that at 15 months post surgery, it seems that my hormones have leveled out, and I am no Longer experiencing dryness down there. It was never an issue during sex, however. Yes, that is correct. He will still go through the various hormone stages throughout your cycle, it will just not have periods. I want to encourage you by letting you know that although sex will be different for a while, it will still be enjoyable!
Commenting for your algorithm and to say I appreciate you sharing your very personal story!!!
Thank you, Rachel!
I have the same problem after a full hysterectomy. My hair fell out and it has not been the same. Follow your instinct and do understand that it is a lack of estrogen and progesterone. It took me four years to go to a health and wellness clinic that does bio, identical, hormone replacement, they ran all my labs and said yes they are within normal range however, normal range is very very wide from person to person. They said they would treat my symptoms, and gave me a higher dose of estrogen, a small dose of testosterone and progesterone, and my hair is finally coming back and I am sleeping better and feeling overall better. I hope this helps.
Yes!! I’ve Made several videos since this one talking about my hormone replacement therapy journey. I am on everything you are, plus DHEA. I’m so glad that you have found the help you need!
This is so helpful, thank you so much every little bit helps I have my surgery last week and I am so worried I might have did something to myself .... long story short I wasn't bleeding when I came home and the second night I dropped my tablet pen under the bed so I slowly got on te floor laid down under there to get it and my small dog lwho is a bit bigger than. Shiht zu was under and I bumped him and reflex made him kick me in the eye well I somehow jerked or moved in a way that hurt me but not bad anyway I start to spot enough that I have to wear a mini pad so after 3 days of waiting for doctor to get back to me she said it's normal to spot ...now today it's 1 week since surgery and im still in pain, and I'm so scared I messed something up so ease answer back if an
Another thing I'm wondering if anybody or support around their abdomen , And if so when did you start wearing it cause I had 5 kids that were 10 + pounds each and I feel like I need it now But I don't know what to do and I don't have nobody to ask because nobody gets back to me I don't know there's nobody to talk to
Hello. I’m not sure exactly what you have done, but I think that bleeding after any surgery like this is very normal. I would say I bled for over a week. I was also in pain for at least two weeks. By week three I felt much better, but was still sore in the evening, especially if I overdid it. I understand the concern for “messing something up.” I felt like that for months. The truth is, though, as long as your surgeon did a good job, you likely have nothing to worry about. My surgeon claims that my repairs were “lifetime repairs,” so I try not to worry about it anymore. I wish you the best, and hope that your pain subsides soon!
God bless you !! Hope you are feeling better 🙏
any gp can organise a ultrasound of your pelvis to rule out another prolapse ..hope that helps ..even your physio can confirm this as well ... thanks for sharing
I did have a pelvic ultrasound at about 18 months post surgery. Thankfully, all was well. I think I my mind was just playing tricks and worrying. The confirmation was nice.
Hey there- I know this is an older video but I hope you see this! I had to have a hysterectomy. It's been ten months and now I appear to be passing clots? Tissue? I'm not sure. Just wondering if you experienced that this far out? I've Had a lot of follow up visits post op due to complications, & now I'm worried I still have MORE! 😢 Do we EVER heal????? Thank you❤❤❤
Hi Carla, I’m so sorry that you’re dealing with this! No, I never had any bleeding past the first week, and to my knowledge, never passed any tissue. I would definitely talk to your doctor about that. In my experience, yes, we definitely do heal, but I’m not sure we are ever exactly the same. I still get pelvic floor pain from time to time when I have overdone it, and have to start focusing on stretches and releasing those muscles again.
Im so sorry that you were not informed that these are all expected issues as a result of the type of surgery that you had. There are many studies that indicate these same complaints. Not all prolapse repair surgeries are the same.
If you had known this would have been the result of your procedure, would you have gone through the same surgery?
Perhaps you need a different doctor who can communicate better on how to help you.
Just had surgery having a lot of hip leg pain
Some studies show that the nerve pain and buttox pain isa result of the ligament that they attached your vaginal cuff to. Was physical therapy helpful?
How are you now? Any updates?
Thank you, for the informative videos.
I am 2 months post urethral sling surgery, am having the same dull nerve/ sit bone/gluteal pain, also radiates down my left leg, foot feels tingly and burns at times.
At my 6 week check up the surgeon said that it sounds like sciatic pain and told me to see a biokineticist...had no back problems prior to surgery and am an avid mountain biker.
I do all our financials and have been really busy and sit in front of the computer most of the day.
Please tell me what your outcome with the pelvic floor therapist was. Did it resolve the problem?
Has anybody reading this response, resolved this issue successfully?
Thanks
Hello. This is almost certainly pelvic floor nerve pain (specifically your Pudenal nerve, which runs down your leg, into your hips, and into your low back). It is interesting, however, that you would have that pain after only having a urethral sling placed. My pain was caused by all of the cutting and stitching into my pelvic floor, and the resulting scar tissue and spastic muscles. It is totally possible, however, depending on how he did his procedure. I absolutely found relief from pelvic floor physical therapy. I ended up having to have my husband, and even myself, do most of it for several months. Going to physical therapy was just too time-consuming, especially when I knew we could do it at home. I still get some pain at this point, but I don’t actually do internal physical therapy anymore. I get in a warm bath, and use my fingers to push on those muscles from the outside/on the skin. You’d be surprised how much relief you might get trying this. Basically palpate and apply firm pressure to all of the muscles around the vagina and perineum, but from the outside. Like you’re massaging that area. But… consulting a qualified pelvic floor PT is likely also a good idea, they can take a feel up in there and see what is going on. It is so frustrating to me that so many doctors are either untrained and unaware of the nerve pattern of the pelvic floor, or deny women the suggestion of getting help through physical therapy down there. My doctor told me that I did not need it either, but he was totally wrong. He actually was not even educated on the subject enough to know that it was possible to need pelvic floor muscles released, rather than tightened. I have a video specifically about my pelvic floor, physical therapy journey. I believe it is my 18 month recovery one, and my two year recovery ones that discuss it.
do they think it could be adhesion pain ? this is so so common after pelvic surgeries - i have it just from a simple laparoscopy - my ovary is stuck to my bowel - will go ahead and have my hsyerectomy in Dec - but def scared of having this pain again and having it worsen - feels better with movement too but worse with laying down / sitting / just aches all day EVERY day
I’m sorry you are dealing with daily pain. I understand how depressing that can be. As far as I know, I was checked for any adhesions when I had the pelvic ultrasound scans. They found nothing abnormal. My PT has been working and my pelvic floor tightness has decreased, releasing my pinched Pudenal nerve. I think I’m on the right track. I can imagine that ovarian adhesion to your bowel could be very painful. I’d encourage you to consider an earlier hysterectomy if possible. I think that should relieve your pain (likely completely)! They’ll put your ovary back where it goes (tack it up). Feel free to email with any questions. Personalprolapsestory@gmail.com.
Hi there
Appreciate your feedback it was very helpful
I had my prolaps done 4 weeks ago it was the most painful ever I had in my life
I’m much better now as I’m still recovering and waiting for my 6 weeks doctor appointment,I’m still off work and had the fear to go back to work what do you think?
Also sneezing and coughing that kind of pain any suggestions for those issues ?
Thanks again and hope you are well
Hello. I’m sorry to hear that your recovery has been difficult and painful. You must have had a pretty extensive surgery with internal vaginal repairs, as I did. Women who say it doesn’t hurt, obviously did not have the kind of surgery we had with all of the internal stitching. I’m also sorry you are having a cold. If you look at my one month recovery video, you will see that I contracted RSV about two weeks into my recovery. It was miserable. My suggestion would be to use as many medications as possible to minimize the symptoms of sneezing and coughing. If you do have to sneeze and cough, I suggest that you Hold a pillow tightly to your chest/stomach and bend over or sit as much as possible when you do it. This will lessen the downward pressure on your pelvic area and overall make it feel better for you. Keep up with the fluids, especially if you’re taking cold medication, which will naturally dry you out. The last thing you want right now is constipation/hemorrhoid issues. It also might be worth a trip to your family practice doctor to get an antibiotic if needed. If he suspects something like Bronchitis. The flu is running rampant right now though, and that can’t be treated with medication. Good luck and don’t hesitate to reach out via email if you have any more specific questions. Personalprolapsestory@gmail.com
Oh.. and as far aa going back to work. Take as much time off as you possibly can! I felt the need to go back to work at the three week mark, and I regret it. I was incredibly sore every night and pretty much had to lay flat on my back. I think this is why doctors recommend a six week healing. The longer you can lay flat or sit, the better your repairs will be overtime, and the less pain you will face. If you can afford it, I’m having time to do it, enjoy the first six weeks off!
@@personalprolapsestory
Sure I will take off time from work as much as I can, every single advice is appreciated and thank you for your patience and support
Can we talk about sex ? Does it feel different ? Tighter ?
I’ve kept my comments about sex pretty basic, but I’d say that yes, things feel a bit different. Certain angles aren’t as comfortable as they once were, but a lot of that has to do with the pelvic floor tightness and tension I’ve been trying to work out through PT. Is has improved. Sex is still enjoyable, and as long as you keep your ovaries, dryness isn’t an issue, but you’ll have to adjust to your new anatomy for awhile… especially if you have a sacrocolpopexy, as I did. It changes the angle of the vagina.